Saratoga is a destination for creative talent!

According to a recent study of the region's creative economy by Mount Auburn Associates, Saratoga County has 5,206 jobs in the creative industries and this number is on the rise.

For this study, Creative Industries is defined as: The businesses, non-profit organizations, and self-employed individuals involved in the origination, production, and distribution of goods and services in which artistic and cultural content gives the product or service value in the marketplace. In Saratoga, we have creative people in communications design, environmental design, product design, literary arts, film, publishing, video gaming, public relations, advertising, visual arts, galleries, the performing arts, theater, culinary arts, museums and preservation.

We have world class arts and cultural residency programs, high quality natural and urban environments, world-class venues, and new collaborative relationships forming all the time. This means we are positioned to capitalize on the convergence of creativity, arts and technology. Best of all, we're now witnessing the emergence of a grassroots effort to grow our creative economy led by those who want to see Saratoga enhance its stature as a great place for talented professionals to live, work and play 24/7/365.

Saratoga TechOUT

Our mission: to engage, discuss and consume the latest in technology, development, and adult beverages. Networking is also welcomed and encouraged because this is not just a place to geek out on code but to talk about content, design, random tech topics and gigs.

WHEN: Once every 6 weeks or when the moon is in its waxing or waning gibbous phase.

WHERE: This go it will be at Druthers in Saratoga Springs, NY. Look for the next meeting date at the top of this page, or you can follow us via Twitter or Facebook.

Sharatoga TechTalks

Sharatoga TechTalks is a monthly meetup in downtown Saratoga Springs, NY for people from the growing tech scene and greater Capital District to come together, have a few drinks, and listen to 4-5 people present on various topics ranging from software development, UI/UX graphic design, social media strategies, product development, app development, and updates on member's "slide projects." Sharatoga TechTalks are held the 3rd Wednesday of each month (taking a break for December, July and August), and people can join our meetup group and register for events at:http://www.meetup.com/Sharatoga-Tech-Talks/.

Saratoga's Tech Executives

Led by Joe Tyler, CEO of Informz, Saratoga-based technology companies have come together to form the Saratoga Tech Executives group. The group meets monthly to share ideas, trends and advice to help grow our local tech sector and to enable firms to attract the creative talent necessary to succeed. We're proud to have among the collaborators in this group representatives from the following companies:

Startup Tech Valley

Startup Tech Valley is a monthly meetup for first-time entrepreneurs, experienced entrepreneurs, aspiring entrepreneurs, investors, mentors, employees of startups, service providers to startups, and anyone else who wants to be involved. Powered by RPI’s Severino Center for Technological Entrepreneurship, Startup Tech Valley meetups are held in Troy, NY, about 30 minutes south of Saratoga at The Revolutionary Hall run by Brown's Brewing.

Regional Schools Collaborate with Local Companies to Lead Students into STEM Careers

In an effort to align students with opportunities in the growing STEM careers in our region, the Ballston Spa Central School District, along with its higher education and business partners, created the Clean Technologies & Sustainable Industries Early College High School (Clean Tech ECHS) program in 2011. The problem based STEM curriculum focuses on preparing students with crucial 21st Century skills, including collaboration, communication, critical thinking, and creativity. Students earn credits towards an Associate’s degree in one of the four career pathways: Clean Energy, Computer Science & Information Systems, Entrepreneurship, Leadership & Innovation, and Nanotechnology & Mechatronics. The program has business partners representing each of these pathways, giving students exposure to local employment opportunities.

Currently, the program includes 25 school districts and connects almost 300 students with over 40 business partners and local economic leaders such as the Center for Economic Growth (CEG), Saratoga Economic Development Corporation (SEDC), and local Chambers of Commerce. This June, Clean Tech ECHS will graduate its third class of students attending classes at Hudson Valley Community College’s TEC-SMART facility. The program was also designated by Governor Cuomo as a NYS Pathways in Technology Early College High School (NYS P-TECH), providing additional support as the program continues to grow and serve more students from a regional perspective.

For more information on the Clean Technologies & Sustainable Industries Early College High School program, please visit http://www.bscsd.org/cleanTech.cfm, or contact Amber Mooney, Coordinator of Development, at (518) 884-7195 x1369 or amooney@bscsd.org.